Goodthai is a contemporary Thai restaurant located in the heart of Shanghai, drawing inspiration from the silhouettes of Apsara dancers, transforming the rhythm of dance into a contemporary architectural experience. The design celebrates Thailand’s inherent culture and aesthetics with bold material selections, design motifs, and details.
The Goodthai restaurant in Shanghai is a contemporary Thai restaurant that draws inspiration from the silhouettes of Apsara dancers, transforming the rhythm of dance into a contemporary architectural experience. The design celebrates Thailand’s inherent culture and aesthetics with bold material selections, design motifs, and details.Upon arrival, guests are greeted by a glowing facade, adorned with onyx panels that act as lanterns, warmly welcoming guests. Exquisite bronze screens surround the exterior windows, inspired by “Bua,” or the lotus flower, which symbolizes good fortune and prosperity in Thai culture.
The main dining area is an abstract interpretation of the royal garments worn by Apsara dancers. The ceiling design is inspired by the spherical motifs on the dancers’ headpieces, winding and extending infinitely above the dining area. The dynamic, curved design of the golden grid mimics the dancers’ active hand movements, like the clear outlines of their fingers and gestures as they gracefully perform above.
The dining area features dark wood finishes and accents in navy, orange, and gold, colors commonly found in the “Pha Nuang,” a pleated silk brocade worn by the dancers. The brass furniture and metal accents echo the decorative elements and gold copper ornaments worn on the dancers’ collars and wrists.
Two brass arches lead guests through the dining area to the private dining room, their shape inspired by the ornate triangular rooflines of traditional Thai temples. These intimate spaces are divided by brass metal screens, whose intricate patterns are inspired by the metal threads found in Thai silk embroidery. A dark walnut palette draws the visual focus to the custom golden metal pendant lamps that cascade from the ceiling.
A row of vertical brass slats flows from the main restaurant outwards to the outdoor dining area, the overall material tone transitioning to lighter tones such as light blue sofas, rattan chairs, and turquoise tiles.
Project Information:
Project name: Goodthai Fruit Thai Restaurant
Project type: Dining space, Thai restaurant
Project address: 7F, 703-705, Raffles City, 268 Zhongshan Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai
Average consumption: 174 yuan/person
Design company: Spacemen Studio
Lead designer: Edward Tan
Design team: Raymond Tang, Ed Chan, Simon Liu
Project area: 380 square meters
Main materials: wood, stone, terrazzo tiles, wood-grained tiles, ceramic tiles, stainless steel, brass, metal mesh, mirror
